Enjoy beauty in the midst of winter at Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze. From February 9-April 14 the gardens Fuqua Conservatory and orchid houses come alive with gorgeous blooms. Celebrate an explosion of color and intriguing form as the orchids will have visitors longing for spring. Here are some of the highlights of the gardens popular Orchid Daze activities.
The conservatory lobby will be transformed as mirrored walls reflect a dazzling array of orange, yellow, and red orchids. Pink and white dendrobium orchids will trail downward from the ceiling in a dramatic hanging display. Moth orchids, cymbidiums, cattleyas, and colorful slipper orchids will fill the orchid houses.

Garden visitors can enjoy guided exhibition tours of Orchid Daze on Saturdays from February 9-April 13 at 1pm. Tours will leave from the Hardin Visitor Center and are included with garden admission. Orchid Market Weekends are scheduled for February 9-10 and March 9-10 from 10am-4pm and April 13-14 from 10am-6pm. Visitors may purchase live orchids and supplies from local growers, and get expert advice and growing tips. Orchid Care Clinics will be held on February 9, March 9, and April 13 from 10am-noon.

The Atlanta Orchid Society will host its annual Orchid show March 8-10 at the botanical garden. Hundreds of gorgeous orchids will be on display from 9am-5pm in the Day Hall. Some of these beautiful plants will be offered for sale, and there will also be a raffle.

Many people do not realize that vanilla is an orchid. Attend Vanilla Sunday on February 17 from 1-4pm to learn how the plant grows, and how vanilla flavoring is made from the vanilla bean pods and seeds. Local chef Christina Curry will demonstrate cooking with vanilla in the Edible Garden. She will prepare vanilla risotto with crab, vanilla anise biscotti, vanilla tea, and vanilla sundaes. Vanilla Sunday is included with garden admission. Free sundaes will be available while supplies last.

Visitors to the garden this winter will also be treated to another special event, the 65th annual North Georgia Camellia Show on February 16-17. More than 30 growers from around the region will display their colorful blooms in this juried competition. Atlanta Botanical Garden has a large section of camellias growing in the Southern Seasons Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Road NE. Hours are Tuesday-Friday from 9am-5pm during the winter. Admission is $18.95 for adults and $12.95 for ages 3-12. Pay parking is available in the adjacent SAGE Parking Facility, which serves the garden as well as Piedmont Park.